Baltimore County News

Bryan DunnBaltimore County Department of Economic & Workforce Development

A job hunt can be daunting. After a while, the sense of being invisible can wear you out. Many people get discouraged, thinking “it’s all about who you know.”

I’d like to suggest that in a job search “it’s all about who you talk to.” Looking for a job is hard, competitive and demanding, even when you have lots of experience. Finding valuable resources can give you direction and speed up the search.

Take a look at Carleen Davis, a registered nurse seeking other employment. She didn’t know how to handle the employment gaps on her resume and needed guidance on where to look for a new job. Or Lorena Lentowski, who was looking for a job in the medical field after moving back home to Baltimore.

Both realized they needed help and came in to visit with a career specialist at Baltimore County’s American Job Centers (AJCs). AJCs have a team of people dedicated to finding solutions to these types of challenges. They have the latest information on career planning, job search strategies, hiring programs, and skills training. They can help job seekers access a network of relationships with employers.

Our career services staff worked with Carleen and Lorena to improve their resumes and better represent their valuable skills and experience. Carleen attended AJC workshops to brush up her skills. Based on Lorena’s experience, she was connected to the Johns Hopkins Hospital Project R.E.A.C.H. Program to get further guidance on tailoring her resume and navigating the Hopkins application process.

It’s not one size fits all. Baltimore County’s AJC staff work to find the right solution for each individual’s needs.

Both Carleen and Lorena have new jobs putting them on promising career paths. Carleen is now a public health nurse for Baltimore County and Lorena accepted a position with a Towson lab that serves nursing homes.

So remember, it’s not who you know, but who you talk to.

Oh, did I mention our counselors are available at no charge? So don’t hesitate to take the next step in moving your career forward. Visit one of Baltimore County’s American Job Centers. See this list of locations.

Northwest Hospital knows its neighbors!

Northwest Hospital is not the kind of place that waits for patients to walk in the door. Through outreach efforts and community partnerships, this hospital knows its neighbors and takes a proactive role in their health and wellbeing.

Not only does Northwest keep the people of Randallstown and the Liberty Road communities healthy and safe, but with 1,600 employees, it’s also one of the largest employers in Baltimore County.

The just announced multi-phase expansion of the hospital’s campus is a significant private investment in our county that will transform the area of Liberty and Old Court Roads and the entire corridor.

It starts with an aging office building that has been transformed into a modern urgent care center and medical offices. The opening of the Liberty Center building launches a multi-million dollar campus expansion that will bring new jobs, improved service and more convenient health and wellness options to the community. Plans include additional buildings with an integrated design, landscaping and art to unify and revitalize the campus.

It’s the kind of investment that won’t just sustain, but will improve the quality of life in this community. Northwest Hospital recognizes that businesses have a responsibility to the communities they serve.

We need more corporate leaders like LifeBridge Health and Northwest Hospital. We are fortunate that this award-winning institution calls our county home.

An American Success Story

“I can’t tell you how great it felt to walk across that stage in front of my friends and family to accept a certificate in a field that gives me such gratification,” saidNakia Britton after completing her medical assistance training at Fortis Institute. The journey started at the Hunt Valley American Job Center, where Career Resource Specialist Cathy Schweigman connected Nakia to resources she needed to get her certificate, all the while providing guidance and encouragement.

Providing a motivated talent pool of well-trained workers is job one for economic and workforce development in Baltimore County. Listening to the real needs of both employers and workers helps build a positive cycle of economic success. When companies are successful, they offer more opportunities and add more jobs.